US Open 2024: Raducanu suffers first-round defeat against Sofia Kenin
Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, suffered a disappointing first-round defeat at this year's tournament. She was eliminated by American player Sofia Kenin in a match that lasted over two hours. This marks Raducanu's second straight early exit from the year's last Grand Slam since her remarkable victory three years ago. In 2022, she was also ousted in the opening round while defending her title.
Raducanu wins second set; Kenin makes comeback
Despite her previous success at the US Open, where she won without dropping a set in 10 matches as a qualifier, Raducanu was unable to replicate this feat against Kenin. The British player secured her first set win since that triumph, leveling the match to one set each on the Grandstand court. Kenin staged a strong comeback, winning 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 in two hours and 11 minutes.
Turning point and Kenin's victory
The match turned in the final set's fifth game when Raducanu fell to 0-40 and gave up the second break point. This gave Kenin, ranked 26th in the world, the chance to clinch her first match point after Raducanu's backhand went long. This marks Kenin's second victory since the French Open. Her eight-match losing streak from earlier this season has been broken.
Kenin's strategy and post-match comments
The 25-year-old employed several endearing shots to disrupt Raducanu's rhythm and secure the win. After the match, she expressed her joy saying, "I am super happy. It was a rollercoaster match." She praised Raducanu as a great player and noted that the third set was a close call. Kenin will face fellow American Jessica Pegula in the women's singles second round on 29th August.
Sofia Kenin by the numbers
The 25-year-old has a career-high ranking (WTA) of number four, achieved on March 9, 2020, and a doubles ranking of number 26 which she reached on August 12, 2024. Her sole Grand Slam title came in the form of the Australian Open in 2020. She also made it to the final of the 2020 Roland Garros. Meanwhile, she reached the R16 once at the 2020 US Open.
